Katy B: Easy Please Me

The wave of breakthrough 'dubstep' began in September of last year, when Katy B released her debut single 'Katy On a Mission' - proving a huge commercial success. Since then, the BRIT-Academy graduate has scored another 2 top 10 hits and a number 2 album. Fourth release, 'Easy Please Me' is a song packed full of energy, although very much different to that evident on 'Lights On'. The lyrics center around the idea of Katy unable to find a man that can please her, which laughably has been done a million times; but the production of this track just makes it seem completely original. Included with crisp vocals and an incredible drum 'n' bass beat in the background, 'Easy Please Me' is by no way a bad release choice from Katy 8/10.

Lady Gaga: Hair

It seems Gaga has gone jazz... First 'The Edge of Glory', with trumpet solo included; but now the second promotional single from Mother Monster draws its influences both from pop and from jazz. 'Hair' isn't as immediately good as its predecessor, but it certainly packs a punch; having a similar beat to that of 'Judas'.

Lyrically, the song is average - what with references to "lipstick" and "parties", but most importantly the chorus "I'll die living, just as free as my hair". Regardless, the release seems to working in the pop sensations favour - as 'Hair' is set to debut within the top 10 on Sunday; meaning she'll have 4 top 20 entries at once (with 'Judas' and 'Born This Way' climbing to just inside the top 15) - but this promo has done what it should: get me excited for the other musical gems she'll have on the second album 8/10.

Swedish House Mafia: Save the World

"Who's going to save the world tonight? Who's going to bring it back to life?" belts Swedish singer John Martin on the latest Swedish House Mafia-produced track. Recently named 'legendary' producers, Swedish House Mafia have returned with a belter of a song following 'One (Your Name)' and the Tinie Tempah collaboration 'Miami 2 Ibiza'.

At first, the single appears nothing more than a well-produced song from a Swedish singer, but it quickly becomes more than just that when 'the drop' occurs; sending the beat spiralling into an explosion of dance. Despite having been released on Sunday, the SHM's performance at Radio 1's Big Weekend of this song illuminated the brilliance of this song; with the track conduced live (equip with Swedish singer 'n' all). The song lacks the addictive chorus the previous singles had, but I believe powerful and emotive verses make up for this - I'm just anticipating the video that'll accompany this. It's looking to debut within the top 15 this week, but I can easily see it becoming a Summer anthem - to which I have no objections 9/10.

Nicki Minaj: Super Bass

2011 has without a doubt been the breakthrough for Nicki Minaj, with 'Check It Out' (a collaboration with will.i.am) marking her top 40 debut and follow-up singles 'Moment 4 Life' and 'Girls Fall Like Dominoes' both receiving commerical success.

Now, much like the previous release, 'Super Bass' is a song avaliable only as a bonus track on iTunes; although it's compelled me to buy it - with the extent to my Minaj collection only going as far as the physical CD tracks. 'Super Bass' is probably the popiest release we've had from Minaj thus far, but that doesn't stop it from being an amazing hip-hop song. Minaj knows she's good and she certainly isn't afraid to show it on 'Super Bass', with the help of Ester Dean on vocals. The pink-infested video is a perfect match for the summer-feel of the video; let's just hope 'Super Bass' can maintain the run of top 40 hits from the rapper. 9/10

Lady Gaga: The Edge of Glory

I decided I'd get back into the blogging business as means to vent my anger on the music scene yet again. I thought I'd start with the new Lady Gaga track, 'Edge of Glory' which was released on Monday night; serving as a promotional single for the upcoming second album. As with every other Gaga release, the 'little monsters' have no doubt gone crazy - so much so that the release looks to chart in the top 10 come Sunday. The chorus is far superior the previous singles, 'Born This Way' and 'Judas' and the verses are very reflective of the material on the debut; with resemblance to tracks like 'Speechless' and 'Dance In the Dark'. What sells the single is of course the jazz-sound it builts up throughout the track, with the saxophone solo really confirming where the influences have come from. Hopefully the material from the second album will be a lot more like this and less like the pop-awful tracks we've heard already. 8/10